Manteno Nazarene Church Podcast

"Proof: Peace" -- Pastor Ken Garner -- June 28, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

"Proof - Is God Growing in Your Life?" -- Pastor Ken Garner -- June 7, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

"I Worship...Waiting" -- Pastor Ken Garner -- May 31, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

"I Worship...God Is Good" -- Pastors Ken Garner, Hannah Jones-Nelson & Tim McGuire -- May 24, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

"I Worship...Together" -- Pastors Ken Garner & Tim McGuire -- May 17, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

"I Worship...gods?" -- Pastors Ken Garner & Tim McGuire -- May 10, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

The second sermon in the series "I Worship" on location at Recharge Coffee with owners Seth & Alicia Bets.

"I Worship...Competition" -- Pastors Ken Garner & Tim McGuire -- April 26, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

Today we are celebrating Youth Sunday and honoring our seniors from the high school graduating class of 2020. We will hear from seniors Katie Mize, Marcus Domont and Max McCleary.

Happy Easter! Welcome to worship. He has risen! He has risen, indeed! Here is today's worship service for Resurrection Sunday, April 12, 2020. You can give your tithes and offering via text to give. Simply text the words "MCN GIVE" to 77977. For prayer requests or if you need to contact the church office, please email admin@mantenonazarene.org or call 815-468-8946.

Breaking the Chains of Greed - Pastor Ken Garner -- March 29, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

Breaking Chains of Expectations -- Pastor Ken Garner -- March 22, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

"Breaking the Chains of Comfort" -- Pastor Ken Garner -- March 15, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

What is Lent? How do we break the chains of worry? Abraham, birds, and Peter What chains are holding you back?

Can I Trust the Bible and My Own Experience? The Wesleyan Quadrilateral utilizes four avenues to Interpret Scripture and God’s Will that keep each other accountable. Scripture - Tradition - Reason - Experience Reading the Bible devotionally means you expect to connect with God somehow through your reading. You believe God breathed life into these Scriptures and wants to breathe into your life through them. Read the Bible with imagination. Place yourself in the story. Read the Bible with expectation. Expect to connect with Jesus Christ, the Word. Read the Bible with the breath of God breathing His life into your story. The inspiration of Scripture is MORE than the stories of Scripture. Read the Bible keeping in mind the principles we talked about in previous weeks. Balance your thoughts with the context of the entirety of Scripture, the historical context, the contexts of the Church, Reason and Science. Trajectory. The Bible shows trajectory, development, growth. That is why it shows all the messy parts. You are on a trajectory towards God also. Never stop developing and growing. The Bible keeps you connected to Jesus Christ on your journey.

Can I Trust the Bible and Science? with guests Dr. Dan Sharda, Dr. Jori Sharda, Dr. Derek Rosenberger, and Dr. Dan Himes When do we as followers of Jesus Christ sometimes start to fear using reason, thinking, and science with Scripture? Who is the author of Scripture? 2 Timothy 3:15-17. Who is the author of Creation? Genesis 1:1, 2:4; Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20 What is the role of Science? To predict. To reveal. To connect us to the creation as better caretakers. What is the role of Scripture? To reveal the Creator’s love for you. To connect you to the Creator. To connect you to your neighbor. What if Science and Scripture seem to contradict each other? Creation and Scripture BOTH reveal and connect us to God’s love. But God’s Spirit uses different voices in them to connect with us. Remember, God authored BOTH. We may need to live in the tension of that lack of understanding and ‘contradiction’. In that tense space, we step in faith to the author, God. God may teach us MORE in that faith space than in any sure footed space we find ourselves. Can I Trust the Bible and Science? Science cannot absolutely prove or disprove God. Scripture cannot absolutely prove or disprove God. Often, we start to fear science because we fear losing our intimate connection with God through Scripture. God authored BOTH and is BEYOND both. The wonders of the creator God can be revealed to you through science and scripture. But they both are only signs pointing you to the creator God. The step of faith comes from your heart connecting to the God to which they point you.

Can I Trust the Bible and the Church? February 16, 2020 What is The Church? Can we trust the Church? Yes and No. Matthew 16:18-19 says, ‘Yes!’ Matthew 16:23 says, ‘No!’ When the Church has in mind ‘God thoughts’, we follow Christ and draw people to Jesus Christ. When the Church has in mind ‘human thoughts’, we make mistakes and God creates a new channel. Manteno Church, Go and approach people and situations with ‘God thoughts’ because wherever we Go, Manteno Church Meets Here.

"Can I Trust The Bible as Relevant to Individual?" -- Pastor Hannah Jones-Nelson -- Feb. 9, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

Part 2: Can I Trust the Bible as Relevant to the Church Today? No one reads all of the Bible literally. We all make choices about what to not take out of its original contexts. Proverbs 13:24; 1 Peter 3:3; Numbers 5:14-16 The parts that we read differently - more or less literal - than others should be areas we discuss and allow the Bible to open the door to greater relationship with Jesus Christ and others. Those discussions and interpretations became the Midrash to the Jewish people and continue to evolve with time. The point of the Bible is not to give us all the laws but to open the door to the salvation of the WORD of God, Jesus Christ. The Bible includes less ‘laws’ to make life perfect and get us to Heaven and more invitations to understand God, God’s Love, and grow in our image of God. This helps us mature in God’s love. How do we read the Bible? We ask 3 Questions when trying to understand the Bible. Question #1 - What did this passage mean to the first people who heard it? To understand what the Bible literally means we must know what it literally meant to the first people who heard it. Did John 1:1-29 mean more to 1st century Christians than Jesus Christ was God who became one of us, loved us, and died to take away our sins so we could be part of his family? YES! Through John 1 Christians followed Jesus Christ into physically loving the good creation, creatures, and people He created. He was now one with them all. Question 2: What does it still mean to the Church today? I believe the more the Church asks Question #1 the more fascinating and relevant the Bible and the Living Body of Christ becomes to the world in 2020. Let’s review from 1/19/2020… Part 1: ...As the WORD of God? What does the Bible say about Jesus Christ? The Bible identifies Jesus Christ as the WORD of God that was in the beginning, God with us in the water of our lives, and the crucified, resurrected redeemer of all creation. (John 1:1, 1:14; Genesis 1:26-27; Acts 6:7; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 19:13). What does Scripture say about itself? Scripture and Creation can be trusted to connect us to the WORD and to our neighbor. (Psalm 1:2-3, Psalm 19:1-4, Romans 1:20, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:37-40) In reading Scripture, we keep our eyes on the message and our relationship with the WORD. Do not get distracted with the facts and details. They are important but not the priority. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Jesus Christ uses the Bible to knock at the door of your heart and through the Bible wants to come in and camp out with you! (Revelation 3:20)

"Upper Room Conditions" Pastor Hannah Jones Nelson -- Daniel 3 & Matthew 19 -- Jan. 26, 2020 by Manteno Nazarene

Can I Trust the Bible as the Word of God? January 19, 2020 What does the Bible say about Jesus Christ? The Bible identifies Jesus Christ as the WORD of God that was in the beginning, God with us in the water of our lives, and the crucified, resurrected redeemer of all creation. (John 1:1, 1:14; Genesis 1:26; Acts 6:7; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 19:13) What does Scripture say about itself? Scripture and Creation can be trusted to connect us to the WORD and to our neighbor. (Psalm 1:2-3, Psalm 19:1-4, Romans 1:20, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:37-40 ) Church of the Nazarene Manual Definition We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith. How do we read the Bible? Absolutely no one reads all of the Bible literally. We all choose which Scriptures were not meant to be read literally today. Then how do we know what is really true? Can we trust the Bible? If we believe Genesis, we believe the author of all creation - all truth - is God. Truth should never frighten us but draw us closer to the WORD of God. John 8:31-32. The 1st question we ask when reading the Bible is, 'What did it mean to the first people who wrote and heard it?' Every book of the Bible was written to people first and then second to help the individual know their role in that group. Matthew 22:37-40. In reading Scripture, we keep our eyes on the message and our relationship with the WORD. Do not get distracted with the facts and details. They are important but not the priority. Jesus Christ uses the Bible to knock at the door of your heart and through the Bible wants to come in and camp out with you! Yes, you can trust the Bible. Jesus Christ waits to connect with you through the Scriptures.

Why Did Jesus Get Baptized? Matthew 3 Why was John the Baptist in the wilderness? What was repentance? Why did John consent to baptize Jesus? What happened when Jesus was baptized? How will you prepare the Christ in your life?

Epiphany Sunday Matthew 2:1-18 The motive behind why we seek Baby Jesus matters. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him... When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ Matthew 2:3,13 The motive behind why we seek Baby Jesus reveals whether we follow Jesus Christ or kill his Gospel. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:10-11 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2:16 Do you seek Baby Jesus to accept Jesus Christ and his Gospel or to fit the Christ into your life?

Love Came Down...Love Is Coming Back

Eternal Life On Earth Luke 18:18-30 God’s Kingdom is not yet but is also now. While we wait and endure hardships in life, God is present with us in them now. God loved us so much that God became one of us and came running to us, right here ON EARTH! In God’s Kingdom, we trust God’s heart for us and humbly depend on His hand molding our lives instead of keeping our hands busy trying to change God’s and everyone else’s hearts about us. But as child-like people we want first, to do what Jesus is doing. ‘Can I help?’ Second, we want to be like this Jesus that ran to us, loved us, and changed us. What on earth owns me so much that I’m unwilling to be childlike (rely on Jesus Christ and be confident in his hands working in my life) and help others and find true riches / eternal life? How we handle our material possessions matters not only for our eternal life but also for others’. ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God,’ 18:27. It is about God.

Childlike Faith Luke 18:15-17 The Kingdom of God never says ‘children should be seen and not heard’. Instead, children should be embraced and not hindered. Are we as humbled, dependent, and confident as they are? Children live upside down of how we teach teenagers, young adults, and adults to live. Or how we learn to survive. Something happens to us as we get older. We rely less on God’s love and more on our efforts, age, and accomplishments. That is not possible for children. God’s Kingdom is not yet but is also now. While we wait and endure hardships in life, God is present with us in them now. God’s Kingdom is upside down from the way we grow up trying to cover up our self doubts and earn favor with people and God. In God’s Kingdom we trust God’s heart for us and humbly depend on His hand molding our lives. Romans 5:5-8 Something happens to us as we grow childlike. Do you want to rely more on God’s love and less on your efforts, age, and accomplishments? That is possible for children. Do you want to accept God’s unconditional love today?

On Earth Luke 17:20-37 With what nouns or actions would you describe the ‘Kingdom of God on earth’? What does the brilliant light of the Son of Man invite you to be, to do, or to change? Why would Rome and Israel feel threatened by Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God on earth?

All Luke 17 Why was Jonah upset? Have we ever looked like Jonah? How is God calling me to reorient my life for the sake of God's Kingdom and others?

All the Way Convinced Luke 16:19-31 Luke 14:27 - Am I carrying my cross or staring at Jesus’ cross? Luke 14:34 - Am I still salty or have I lost my saltiness? Luke 15:2 - Do I welcome sinners and eat with them like Jesus? Luke 15:4,7,10 - Am I searching for those lost like Jesus? Luke 15:32 - Am I celebrating when a lost brother or sister of mine who was dead is alive again, is now found? Luke 16:9,10 - Am I using worldly wealth to benefit others? Am I trustworthy with worldly wealth and therefore trustworthy to receive true riches? Luke 16:13 - Am I serving one master, God or trying to serve both God and money? Luke 16:15 - Am I trying to justify myself in the eyes of others? Luke 16:16 - Am I all about God’s Kingdom or trying to fit God into all of my kingdom? Luke 16:19-20 - Am I the rich man? Luke 16:31 - Am I all the way convinced about Jesus Christ? The gospel is going to wreck my life. Do I trust God that true riches lie on the other side of wrecked? Jesus taught us to pray ‘God’s Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.’ Jesus showed the way to bring God’s Kingdom to earth right now. Are we crossing the lines of exclusion, prejudice, and stereotype to do the same? Jesus told us not to judge someone’s heart but to cross the lines and go after them. 1 Samuel 10:9 tells us God works on the heart. We love the person.

Are We All In? Luke 14:25-33 - Jesus wants to be ALL -God wants us ALL IN because God is ALREADY all in for US -Jacob becomes a new creation and is renamed ISRAEL -Grace ABOUNDS but it isn’t CHEAP

In this series, Doctor Help, we looked at how our lives sometimes need help getting spiritually healthy. When our back is ‘out’, the muscles work against each other and we find moving very painful and difficult. When our efforts and passions in life are ‘out’ - Matthew 22:37-40 - those areas of our lives work against the ‘fullness’ of life into which the Shepherd came to lead us. Two questions to ask to help us get in alignment with God: Do we trust God with each area of our lives? Are we living in response to God’s love for us or to earn God’s or someone else’s love and favor? No one should feel their lives are like asking for decaf in a coffee shop. Luke 18:1-8. 3 Questions to help restore our heart and soul: Do you believe in God and in his presence in your journey today? ‘I will not leave you as orphans.’ John 14:18 Where is your hope today? How will God come quickly if the Living Body of Christ does not journey in the fire with people? Daniel 3:16-18 To whom are you taking Christ today? Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27. Church, Living Body of Christ, we are the fourth person in the fiery furnace. ‘I tell you that his man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 18:14 Do our knees bend? Do they kneel humbly to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Or do we insecurely exalt our ‘self’ so we can stand above others? To be the fourth person in the fiery furnace, the church must kneel before Jesus Christ and with people not exalt itself over those in the fire.

Doctor, Help! Crack my Back! Luke 16:1-13 When we find our lives out of whack or wrestling against God's full life we need to 'adjust' our efforts and affections. Luke 16:8 Jesus said to him,, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all….and your neighbor as yourself.’ ’ Matthew 22:37-40. How we sow our monetary wealth, our abilities, and our spiritual gifts reaps eternal consequences for us and for others. We reap the 'fullness' of life we experience in proportion to how we sow our monetary wealth, our abilities, and our spiritual gifts. When our back is ‘out’, the muscles work against each other and we find moving very painful and difficult. When our efforts and passions in life are ‘out’ - Matthew 22:37-40 - those areas of our lives work against the ‘fullness’ of life into which the Shepherd came to lead us. Everything we possess and earn in life is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-10, James 1:17, Deuteronomy 8:17-18. Do we trust God with each area of our lives? Are we living in response to God’s love for us or to earn God’s or someone else’s love and favor? ‘More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.’ Philippians 3:7-16.

Let’s Make a Deal Luke 15:11-32 September 8, 2019 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ Then Jesus told them this parable… (Luke 15:1-3) But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put in on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (15:22-24) The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him….’My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.’ (15:28,31-32) Being part of God’s family is not about doing the right things and earning our way to favor with God. Each Church and each follower of Jesus Christ chooses between Door #1 or Door #2. Never get over the day when you were the lost sheep, the lost coin, or the prodigal son - saved, found, restored by God.

Let's Make A Deal Luke 15:8-10 Our story today is centered on loss, choices, and redemption Lost sheep - are we choosing to love others or to fear and isolate? The stories show us who God is and who we should be What stops us from saying YES and joining the search? What holds us back from turning on the light?

August 25, 2019 Luke 15:1-7 Let’s Make a Deal What did this parable mean to the Pharisees and Teachers of the law? People did not make them unclean. Every person belongs to the Heavenly Father and they should not only welcome them into their fellowship but pursue them. What did this parable mean to Luke’s readers? The early followers of Jesus Christ needed to be aware of the temptation to judge between good and bad people. Instead they needed to see every person as belonging to the Heavenly Father and adopt a hyper-focus on drawing in the wanderer more than on themselves. What does this mean to the Living Church in 2019? Is the Church in our country Living Jesus Christ’s hyper-focus on those wandering on the wide road that leads to destruction? In what ways has the Church in our country not become the Living Body of Christ, hyper-focused on drawing the wanderers onto the Road that leads to real life? What does this mean to me, today? Have I chosen Door #1 - To see every person as the image of God and journeying together with them in the wilderness to draw them back to the Father’s Love? Or, Have I chosen Door #2 - To fear the wanderer as dangerous and therefore, to isolate myself from them? Jesus, who do I need to not fear but to pursue with love like you did for me?

The latest in our Stories series.

Hear the stories from Manteno Naz youth as they share the life-changing experiences from Nazarene Youth Conference in Phoenix, Arizona this summer.

Luke 13:18-21 Chad McCleary’s Story "He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’ And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’" Luke 13:18-21 "Struggles come in life. Sometimes we deserve them; Sometimes we do not deserve them; Sometimes it’s a combination." - Chad McCleary Remain diligent in your relationship with the Heavenly Father. He is not wringing his hands and worried. He walks with us, directs us, works in us, works through us, and works for us. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:28,31,37.

Whoa: Whoa to Burdens Luke 11:44-52 44 “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.” 45 One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” 46 Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. 47 “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. 48 So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. 49 Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ 50 Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all. 52 “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

Whoa: Stop Making It About &ou! Luke 11:43 To Be a Christian Checklist __ Physically Clean. Luke 11:37-41 __ Tithe 10%. Luke 11:42 __ Make Sure Everyone Sees Me. Luke 11:43 __ Luke 11:44 __ Luke 11:46 __ Luke 11:47 __ Luke 11:52 What did this mean to those who first heard these words? The Pharisees and then the early followers of Jesus were not to be concerned with gaining honor or ruling or those things would become their idols to worship. (Matthew 6:1-8) Instead, they were to love the Heavenly Father and love people. (Luke 11:42) Instead of ruling, they were to serve. What does it mean to the Living Body of Christ today? As the Living Body of Christ our concern is to love the Heavenly Father and love serving people to bring the Father’s love and justice to their lives. (Matthew 20;28) Ruling, acceptance in society as law, and building great reputations in the church world do not matter. They become idolatry for the Church. What does it mean to me as I follow Jesus Christ today? Jesus Christ pleaded with his life, death and resurrection for me to love the God who first loved me even though I was insecure, full of fear, full of sin and shame, and unable to genuinely love. (1 John 4, Romans 5) Instead of using people’s approval to overcome my insecurities, Jesus Christ came to show me the love that asks me to quit creating and checking boxes to see if I am finally ok. Jesus Christ asks me to love people the way that he loved me first. (John 13, 1 John 4)

Whoa! Both / And Luke 11:42 Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. Following Jesus Christ costs us everything but saves our very soul and self. Luke 9:23-25 ‘To obey is better than sacrifice…’ 1 Samuel 15:22 Following Jesus Christ means not only being a steward of our Treasures, our financial resources, but Jesus also asks us to follow him with our Time and Talent. Tithe is the Scriptural principle of giving back to the Heavenly Father the first 10% of our earnings. In the New Testament, followers of Jesus Christ realized all of their belongings were a gift from the Heavenly Father and they were willing to give whatever God asked them to give. Are we checking spiritual boxes to see what grade God will give us or helping people find the Road that Leads to Life? Are we checking spiritual boxes for other people to make sure we get graded well on the curve or finding freedom in following God and loving our neighbor? You are free to love people because the Heavenly Father first loved you unconditionally. You are free to love the Heavenly Father because He first loved you! The Pharisees goal was to make Judaism the law of the nation and world. Jesus came to restore the union between God's heart and his people's hearts. This is not a test or competition! Journey Together with people on the Road that Leads to Life! Use your Time and Talent to change lives!

"Whoa to You!" -- Pastor Ken Garner -- Luke 11:37-41 -- July 7, 2019 by Manteno Nazarene

Basics: The Lamp of the Body Luke 11:29-36 Basics: Prayer, Luke 11:1-13 The practice of prayer allows the created image of God to reflect or mirror God the creator. Genesis 1 tells us God created us in his image. Prayer allows us to look in the mirror and see God. Did you see the Image of God reflected in the mirror this morning? Keep staring until you get past you and see God’s image. Basics: Repent and Replace, Luke 11:14-28 Repent of - admit and turn away from - those things which squelch the image of God in you and Replace them - be cleaned and filled - with the presence of God to empower you to overcome and engage in the Now and Not Yet struggle. The Light is Jesus Christ. Luke 11:29-30, John 1:5-9 The Lamp is the Eye (of The Body of Christ), Luke 11:34. For our ‘lamp’ to shine the light of Jesus we must be focused on Jesus instead of self or others. The Darkness is the eye of the Body (of Christ) not focused on Jesus and not shining or drawing people to the one greater than Jonah, Luke 11:29 & 34. Basics: The Lamp of the Body focuses on Jesus Christ in you, the Body of Christ, and in others. Darkness focuses on you and others instead of Jesus Christ in you and in others.

Basics: Repent and Replace June 23, 2019 The practice of prayer allows the created image of God to reflect or mirror God the creator. Prayer cleans the reflection and connects the individual to the grander creation of God the Father. We live in the Now and the Not Yet. We live in the Now where Jesus revealed God’s Kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven. But we live in a tug-o-war Not Yet where the empires of this world instead still pull God’s creation into their influence. Jesus commands and encourages us to Repent. To repent is to look into the Heavenly Father and See and Admit what smudges the reflection of God in our lives. Then in repentance we decide to turn away from those ‘smudges’ and clear or clean our reflection of the Image of God. We decide in which kingdom in this tug-o-war we want to live. Jesus commands and encourages us to Replace the old with the new. To replace is to be filled by gazing on the reflection of the Heavenly Father long enough to see and experience the Him, our Creator. Then in this turning, this cleaning of the mirror, we grab the rope with others in the kingdom tug-o-war and gather with Jesus for the Kingdom Come. Replace smudges and scattering with a clear God-filled image and new purpose of gathering. Basic Principles Repent of - admit and turn away from - those things which squelch the image of God in you and Replace them - be cleaned and filled - with the presence of God to empower you to overcome and engage in the Now and Not Yet struggle

BASICS: Prayer Luke 11:1-4 The disciples saw that Jesus's prayer impacted his life and ministry God's kingdom is at the center Jesus tells us to be persistent and bold with our prayers God cares for us more than we can imagine Prayer matters because God is relational How is your prayer life shaping your relationship with God?

Signs: Choices Luke 10 When we read Scripture, we have to understand a passage's context. Luke 10 is about choices. Mary sat at the Lord's feet. Martha was distracted. Jesus answers: “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one." What good are we choosing to do in place of something great?

Signs: Sign of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37, Galatians 3:26-29, Genesis 1:26-31 What is God’s will for the Living Body of Christ, our church, when we leave this sacred gathering place? Jesus’ life and message give us signs to follow in living out the Kingdom of God. So far, we learned about the following signs: The Sign of 5000.The Sign of 5000 leads us to God’s will by feeding or taking care of a situation by trusting God instead of sending away people. The Sign of Jonah.The sign of Jonah shows you God's will as you die to self-focused living and rise to new life in God's kingdom of unconditional love. The Sign of the Least. The Sign of the Least frees us from striving to be noticed so we can strive to notice others. ‘What is at stake, then and now, is the question of whether we will use the God-given revelation of love and grace as a way of boosting our own sense of isolated security and purity, or whether we will see it as a call and challenge to extend that love and grace to the whole world. No church, no Christian, can remain content with easy definitions which allow us to watch most of the world lying half-dead in the road. The Sign of the Good Samaritan focuses our eyes on the image of God in all people instead of the differences that build prejudice.

Signs: Sign of the Least Luke 9:48 The Sign of 5000 leads us to God’s will by feeding or taking care of a situation by trusting God instead of sending away people. What is prayer? A call to acknowledge God and to act. 'following’ Jesus looks radically different than clicking 'like’ or 'follow’ on social media. If a person believes in something or someone, that person acts differently. Do you want to save your ‘self’ or lose your ‘self’? Lose your 'self’, your soul, by making everyday selfishly about you. Find your 'self’ by making everyday unselfishly about the Kingdom of God We find and save our ‘self’ in the daily pattern of taking up our cross. Taking up your cross leads you to unselfishly acknowledge 'yes’ to God and act 'yes’ to the kingdom of God. The sign of Jonah shows you God's will as you die to self-focused living and rise to new life in God's kingdom of unconditional love. The Sign of the Least frees us from striving to be noticed so we can strive to notice others. In what areas of your life do you strive the hardest to not be the least? How can you help others be noticed and realize they are enough in Jesus Christ?

Sign of Jonah Luke 9:18-26, 11:29 The Sign of 5000 leads us to God’s will by feeding or taking care of a situation by trusting God instead of sending away people. What is prayer? A call to acknowledge God and to act. 'following’ Jesus looks radically different than clicking 'like’ or 'follow’ on social media. If a person believes in something or someone, that person acts differently. Do you want to save your ‘self’ or lose your ‘self’? Lose your 'self’, your soul, by making everyday selfishly about you. Find your 'self’ by making everyday unselfishly about the Kingdom of God We find and save our ‘self’ in the daily pattern of taking up our cross. Taking up your cross leads you to unselfishly acknowledge 'yes’ to God and act 'yes’ to the kingdom of God. The sign of Jonah shows you God's will as you die to self-focused living and rise to new life in God's kingdom of unconditional love.

You Feed Them Luke 9:10-17 The good news of the kingdom of God isomer than a message. The Gospel believes, sees, takes action. The kingdom of God lives in people's lives. Jesus gave the Twelve power and authority to believe, see, and take action. Jesus give us the power and authority to proclaim the kingdom of God, to see people and to take action. What one person or situation can you feed this week?

Enjoy this special youth service as we celebrate with our graduating seniors.